Iron Deficiency Anemia

[BonBon]

My question or concern is that I really need the Gastric Sleeve, however I am already currently anemic (Iron deficiency). I take 3 Iron Supplement pills a day. I have heard that even the Gastric Sleeve can disrupt the absorption or Iron and could make my anemia worse. Can anyone give me any insight or details on this. I would like to proceed with this surgery, but not sure if the benefits outweigh the risks.....HELP!

 

[eladams2015]

There are bariatric iron supplements that are better absorbed by WLS patients. I would definitely discuss this with your docs prior to moving forward.

 

[gzar]

I have no helpful insight; my 3-month bloodwork after sleeve showed iron deficiency so I started a better vitamin regimen w/iron and have great numbers since. I'm doing the Nascobal vitamin package with the B12 nasal spray...couldn't stand giving myself shots lol.

However the first 3-4 months following surgery I didn't eat hardly anything with iron. Literally no raw spinach, broccoli, no green beans, no legumes, no liver, tofu, blah blah. Nor did I cook on cast iron as I wasn't hardly eating anything from a pan. So I'm not 100% convinced my reduced stomach was to blame; rather my diet. I have since also normalized my diet and include plenty dark veggies

But I do have a question for you - what is your diet like? Do you normally eat foods that are a normal good source of iron?

 

[BonBon]

I have no helpful insight; my 3-month bloodwork after sleeve showed iron deficiency so I started a better vitamin regimen w/iron and have great numbers since. I'm doing the Nascobal vitamin package with the B12 nasal spray...couldn't stand giving myself shots lol.

However the first 3-4 months following surgery I didn't eat hardly anything with iron. Literally no raw spinach, broccoli, no green beans, no legumes, no liver, tofu, blah blah. Nor did I cook on cast iron as I wasn't hardly eating anything from a pan. So I'm not 100% convinced my reduced stomach was to blame; rather my diet. I have since also normalized my diet and include plenty dark veggies

But I do have a question for you - what is your diet like? Do you normally eat foods that are a normal good source of iron?

I eat a lot of broccoli, and spinich and romaine salads. I eat legumes once a week probably, and green beans once in a while. I am not a liver or tofu person. So I guess my diet isn't bad, but it isn't great either. I didn't start to eat the green or leafy veggies until probably a year ago. One thing I am wondering which I haven't looked at yet either is if there is some correlation between your body's natural chemistry and the level if iron. I haven't talked to anyone about this thought, but it just seems like the body is an amazing but delicate thing. There are so many things that can happen when your hormone, or gut flora are disrupted or off. A part of me just thinks there is a natural balance in things unless you have other more serious health conditions.

since the surgery is based on malabsorption, absorption is a huge issue. There are several really important iron- deficient-themed posts I have seen in the last year that go into great detail about what you're facing. It is totally worth a search through thousands of posts in the archives to find out more about iron and how it's absorbed relating to weight loss surgery.

Thank you for your info. I will keep researching. My Insurance deductible is already met and I have been on a medication for weight loss ( the 2nd or 3rd one I have tried) and the side effects are intolerable. So, I will keep researching and talking to my Doctors and hopefully be able to get the sleeve done toward in like October or November.

Do you have any regrets about doing the surgery. Unfortunately, I can probably only be off work 2 weeks....How long was your recovery time? Do you have to take a special type of multi vitamin or can you just take regular vitamins? Did you have any energy after 2 weeks to where is is plausible to go back to work?

 

[BonBon]

There are bariatric iron supplements that are better absorbed by WLS patients. I would definitely discuss this with your docs prior to moving forward.

Thank you, my regular PCP isn't too helpful, but I will talk to my other doctors about it and research it some more.

 

[BonBon]

since the surgery is based on malabsorption, absorption is a huge issue. There are several really important iron- deficient-themed posts I have seen in the last year that go into great detail about what you're facing. It is totally worth a search through thousands of posts in the archives to find out more about iron and how it's absorbed relating to weight loss surgery.

There are bariatric iron supplements that are better absorbed by WLS patients. I would definitely discuss this with your docs prior to moving forward.

Thank you. I just foound this website.

since the surgery is based on malabsorption, absorption is a huge issue. There are several really important iron- deficient-themed posts I have seen in the last year that go into great detail about what you're facing. It is totally worth a search through thousands of posts in the archives to find out more about iron and how it's absorbed relating to weight loss surgery.

 

[Qweensgambit]

I just finally got my six month blood work (I’m a year out...I know I know but I lost the lab slip and I was busy) and I’m slightly anemic. The PA called me to discuss it. I am getting mixed signals from him. First he sounded concerned and mentioned my possibly seeing a hematologist, then he went on to say it’s pretty common and I should just take some iron supplements. He said a bunch of things I didn’t understand. I think I’m going to have to call him back with a list of specific questions.